France skipper Thierry Dusautoir is set for six weeks on the sidelines after damaging his knee at the weekend.

Dusautoir sustained the injury in Toulouse's 33-21 win over Treviso and was forced to leave the field in the 60th minute of the match. Toulouse boss Guy Noves confirmed the news after match saying: "Thierry suffered a twisted internal lateral ligament with a slight tear.

"It's an injury that necessitates between four and six weeks rest depending to his ability to properly recuperate."

The news means that Dusautoir is a major doubt for France's autumn internationals. They start against Australia on November 10 and then face Argentina on the 17th. They finish their three-Test programme with a clash against Samoa on November 24 and he will hope to make that match.

Stade Francais' Pascal Pape was named vice-captain in the original squad and will be the favourite to skipper the side in Dusautoir's absence.